Conservation Biology

Conservation biologists focus on Nature's inherent value and help create policies to preserve biodiversity while supporting human populations. Education is available at many schools, and there are both private and public career opportunities.

Inside Conservation Biology

Conservation biologists observe and study the Earth's biodiversity with the intent of protecting its flora, fauna and ecosystems from extinction. They combine the natural sciences, environmental law and economics to craft strategies for natural resource conservation and restoration while meeting the needs of human society. Specific issues include wildlife habitat preservation, monitoring of invasive plant and animal species, and multipurpose land use, as with national forests.

Federal and state governments employ a large number of conservation biologists, but opportunities exist in private and nonprofit sectors as well. Conservation biologists can work as scientists, park rangers, wildlife biologists, natural resource managers and in a variety of other positions.

Education Information

Students can pursue a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in conservation biology, either as a major or as a concentration within a natural science or biological science program. Conservation biology is interdisciplinary, combining the natural sciences with environmental policy and law. Courses can include evolutionary biology, biometrics, ecology, economics and statistical analysis. Students learn to examine individual species and their interactions with the environment, as well as the way in which policy decisions can drive beneficial or harmful changes in ecosystems.

Degree Options

Aspiring conservation biologists can pursue degrees at all postsecondary levels. The articles below include information on conservation biology and closely related programs.

Distance Learning Options

Distance education is available to conservation biology students. Most degree programs are offered in hybrid formats that require time on campus for labs and/or in the field for research studies. There are also online courses in related areas such as wildlife science.

Career Information

Graduates with bachelor's degrees may work for state and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations and consulting firms. Some conservation biologists work in public education for museums, schools, zoos or conservation organizations like The Nature Conservancy. Graduate degrees are usually necessary for research and academic careers.

Conservation biologists with the required level of education and experience can also seek professional certification credentials through organizations such as the Ecological Society of America (www.esa.org) and the Society of Wetland Scientists (www.sws.org). The list below includes some of the jobs common to conservation biology graduates in both the public and private sectors.

Employment Outlook and Salary Information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that conservation scientists, including conservation biologists, can expect a job increase of 3% during the 2012-2022 decade, while wildlife biologist positions will gain by 5% (www.bls.gov). As of May 2013, the median annual wage for conservation scientists was $61,220, and for wildlife biologists, it was $57,430.